Designation

Explorer

Country of origin

Palestine

16

Suzanne Al Houby

Suzanne Al Houby has inspired thousands of Arab women through her mountaineering exploits.

Although her life in the corporate world was busy, Al Houby took every opportunity to travel the world, and has visited over 100 destinations from Antarctica to China. But the mountains have always been her biggest love. She is the first Arab woman to summit Mont Blanc (the tallest mountain in Western Europe), Elbruz (Europe), Aconcagua (South America) and Vinson Massif (Antarctica). Al Houby was also the first Palestinian woman to conquer Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro. But the crowning glory came in May last year, when Al Houby reached the summit of Everest, becoming (again) the first Arab woman to do so. Nowadays, Al Houby heads up Rahhalah, an environmentally aware adventure travel firm based in the UAE.